Electronic
Travel Authority
Monday, 1 October 2018
In 2019 the Government
will introduce an Electronic Travel Authority for some groups of travellers. It
is a new security and facilitation measure that will help to speed things up at
the border.
The Electronic Travel Authority aims to:
·
enhance security and
reduce immigration risks
·
address smuggling and
biosecurity risks
·
improve the traveller
experience
·
support New Zealand’s
international relationships and agreements
·
adapt to the changing
needs and requirements of the government, stakeholders and travellers over
time.
The number of visitors to New Zealand has grown strongly over
the past few years, and growth is expected to continue. Most short term
visitors arriving by air or sea do not need to apply for a visa, which supports
our tourism industry by making it easy to travel.
However, when people don’t have to apply for visas, we only
learn about them once they are enroute to New Zealand. We are unable to screen
these travellers in advance for border and immigration risks and have a reduced
ability to make entering New Zealand smoother and faster as technology evolves.
The Electronic Travel Authority aims to deal with these issues
and is part of wider government efforts to make border crossing as seamless as
possible.
How the Electronic Travel Authority will work
Before coming to New Zealand, travellers required to hold an
Electronic Travel Authority will fill out a simple form and pay their fee
online, creating an electronic account that will be easy to set up and update.
Some travellers will also have to pay the International Visitor
Conservation and Tourism Levy at this point. Find out more about the levy
here: www.mbie.govt.nz/border-changes
Electronic Travel Authority applicants will need to provide:
·
name and birthdate
·
passport details
·
contact details
·
some declarations,
such as about criminal conviction history and travel intention.
·
optional biometric
information (passport photo).
The Electronic Travel Authority will be valid for two years.
Final costings are still under development, but we expect it will cost between
$9 and $12.50 per person. The Government will announce the final fee in the
first half of 2019.
It will likely come into effect for air passengers and crew in
the second half of 2019. We expect that it will come into effect for cruise
passengers and crew in 2020.
Who will have to hold an Electronic Travel Authority
·
Most travellers who
aren’t required to get a visa before entering New Zealand will have to hold an
Electronic Travel Authority. This includes citizens of visa waiver countries,
cruise ship passengers, cruise ship crew and commercial airline crew.
·
Australian citizens
will be exempt, but Australian permanent residents will need to hold an
Electronic Travel Authority.
·
New Zealand citizens
and holders of valid New Zealand visas (both resident visas and temporary
visas) will continue to be able to enter New Zealand without an Electronic
Travel Authority.
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